Soot blower



Oct. 30, 1934. N. 5N0) 1,978,555

SOOT BLOWER Original Filed July 23, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 K V Z'Jvwewtoz Patented Oct. 30, 1934 soo'r BLOWER Norman L. Show, New Canaan, Conn, assignor to Diamond Power Specialty Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Applicati on July 23, 1928, Serial No. 294,770 1 Renewed June 12, 1933 23 Claims.

This invention relates to soot blowers and has particular referenceto a soot blower adapted to clean a plurality of spaced gas passages orthe like. I

An object of this invention is to provide a soot blower in which a limited number of nozzles may be utilizedto discharge cleaning fluid or the like, intoa relatively large number of passages to be cleaned, thus permitting the maintenance of a high pressure on the cleaning fluid.

"A still further object of-this invention is to provide a soot blower having a'blower element adapt- 'ed for a plurality of difierenttypes of movement, one of said types of movement constituting a swinging of the blower element.

A still'further object of this invention is to provide a blower element mounted for swinging move ment and for reciprocatory movement and to provide means for imparting either of these movements to the said blower element. f

A still further object of this inventionis to provide a blower element mounted for swinging move ment and to provide means for locking the said blower element in different positions of swinging movement. f Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds, particularly when reference is had to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of a section'of anair heater, showing a soot blower constructed in accordance with the teachings of thisin'vention installed on the same, 1

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the air heatershown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevationalview of the air heater shown in Figure l, m

Figure 4 is a iragmentaryside elevational view of the air heater shown in Figure Ljparts of the airheater being broken away to more clearly illus trate the soot blower, and Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view. taken substantially on the line 5'-5 of Figure 4.

Referring now particularly to the drawings whereinone mechanical embodiment of the inventive idea is disclosed and wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout all views, the soot blower is disclosed as being mounted on a section of an air heater. It is to be clearly understood, however, that the soot blower is adapted for use in any construction wherein it is desired to effect a cleaning "of a plurality of spaced passages.

R fe ri then particularly to Figure gr is disclosed a section 9 of an air heater, this section including the front wall 10, rear wallll, and side wallsilz. Extending across thesection 9 and opening through the front'andrear walls 10 and 11- thereof, are the air boxes 13, these air boxes being spaced, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, to form the gas passages 14. In operation, the air to be heated is flowed across the section 9; through the air boxes 13,while the heating gases,

which heat the air,'isflowed downwardly through the section 9 and around the boxes 13 by'virtue of the gas passages 14. All of this is of the usual construction and forms no part of the present invention. t Q

In use, the passages 14 become filled with soot and the like, and in order to clean these passages there is provided a blower element 20 provided as illustratedin Figure 2 of the drawings, with a-limited'number of downwardly directed discharge nozzles 21. The number of discharge nozzles Zlis considerably less than the number of gas passagesl l and the present invention contemplates the provision of means for so moving the blower emi ent so, that all ofthegas pas so sagesfl l may be cleaned or blown by the limited number of nozzles 21. By providing a relatively small number of nozzles a greater: pressure may be maintained on the cleaning fluid, thus effecting a more thorough cleaning of those passages through which the'cleanin'g'fluid is discharged.

'In order that the nozzles 21 may be caused to thoroughly clean all of the passages 14, the element 21 is mounted for reciprocation above the section 9 and longitudinally of theipassages 14,

, and is also mounted for swinging movement across'the section 9 and transversely of the passages 14. Thus the element 20may be swung to a position wherethenozzles 21 are in alignment with certain of thepassages 14 and the element'20 may then be reciprocated to cause the nozzles 21 to travel longitudinally of the passages 14 to thus effect a discharge of the cleaning fluid from the nozzles 21 throughout the entire lengths of the passages 14.

For mounting the blower element 20 for swinging movement across the passages 14, there is provided a frame designated generally by the reference character 25; This frame 25 includes a pair of end frame members,"each of which comprise'a pair of spaced leg members 26 arranged at an angle with respect to each other. The leg members 26 are connected adjacent their lower ends'by a bracing tie rod 27 and are connected at their upper endsby ashaft 28. The

end .franie members are connected to each other 1 rear thereof.

by a pair of tie rods 29, each tie rod being connected at one end to the shaft 28 of its respective end frame member and being connected at its other end to a bearing 30 arranged midway between the end frame members for a purpose hereinafter to be more fully described. Pivotally secured to the ends of the blower element 20, are the link members 31, and the free end of each link member is rotatably secured to the shaft 28 of its adjacent end frame member. Suitable spacers 32 may be mounted on each shaft 28 to maintain the link 31 and rod 29 midway between the legs 26 as will be readily apparent by reference to Figure 4 of the drawings.

Thus it will be seen that the blower element is swingingly suspended from the frame 25, and that by virtue of the spaced relation of the legs 26, the blower element 20 may be swung to positions adjacent the sides of the air heater section 9, the ends of the blower element passing between the legs 26 to permit this movement. Thus the blower element 20 may be swung on its links 31 to align the nozzles 21 with the gas passages 14. The nozzles 21 are so spaced longitudinally of the blower element 20 that a swinging of the element 20 from its one extreme position to the other will eifect an alignment of one nozzle 21 with substantially each gas passage 14.

In order that the blower element 20 may be reciprocated above the section 9, or in other words, in order that the nozzles 21 may be caused to travel longitudinally of the gas passages 14, the frame 25 is mounted for movement across the top of the section 9 and from the front to the To accomplish this, each leg 26 is bifurcated at its lower end to receive a roller 35, each roller being mounted as clearly illustrated in Figure 2, on a stub shaft 36 carried by the furcations. The rollers are adapted to travel on suitable tracks 37 supported above the air boxes 13, as by the brackets 38 secured at their ends in any desired manner, to'the sides 12 of the section 9. While the tracks 3'7 are shown as T- shaped in cross section, it is obvious that these tracks may be of any configuration insofar as they provide guiding and supporting means for the rollers 35.

From the above it will be apparent that the frame 25 will be mounted for movement across the section 9 and since the blower element 20 is supported from the frame 25, it will be obvious that the blower element 20 will likewise be mounted for this reciprocatory movement. Thus the nozzles 21 may be aligned with certain of the passages 14 adjacent either the front or the rear of the section 9 and the blower element may then be moved across the section 9 to cause the nozzles 21 to travel longitudinally of the passages 14 and above the same, whereby a cleaning fluid may be discharged into each passage 14 throughout the entire length thereof.

For supplying cleaning fluid to the blower element 20, and for imparting the reciprocatory and swinging movements to the blower element 20 there is provided a supply pipe 40. In'use, a num ber of sections 9 are adapted to be secured together to form a complete air heater, these sections being connected to each other as by the U- bars 41. The supply pipe 40 extends through the front of the section 9 and as clearly illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing may be journaled in one of these U-bars 41. The outer end of the supply pipe 40 is spaced from the front of the section 9 and is secured as illustrated in Figure 4, to a flexible cleaning fluid supply conduit 42. Adjacent its inner end the supply pipe is journaled in the bearing 30 and is extended beyond this bearing 30 for rigid connection to an elbow 43, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. Extending laterally from the blower element 20 is a branch 44 which is connected as by a swivel joint 45 to an extension 46 of the elbow 43. Thus the blower element 20 is connected to the supply pipe 40 to receive cleaning fluid therefrom and is further operatively connected to the supply pipe 40, whereby it may be moved by the same. To prevent a longitudinal movement of the supply pipe 40, through the bearing 30, suitable thrust bearings 4'7 may be provided on opposite sides of the bearing 30.

From the above, it will be apparent that cleaning fluid may be supplied to the blower element 20 through the conduit 42, supply pipe 40, elbow 43 and branch 44. Further longitudinal movement of the supply pipe 40 will "be transmitted to the frame 25 by virtue of the thrust bearings 47 to efiect a movement of the frame 25 and blower element 20 across the section 9. Further rotation of the blower pipe will effect a swinging of the blower element 20 by virtue of the rigid connection of the elbow 43 to the pipe 40 and the swivel connection of the extension 46 to the branch 44. Thus the supply pipe may be moved longitudinally to cause the jets 21 to travel longitudinally of the passages 14 and may be rotated to cause the blower element 20 to swing transversely of the passages 14 on its links 31.

For moving the supply pipe 40 longitudinally, this pipe is provided on its outer periphery with the rack teeth 50, these teeth extending around a considerable portion of the periphery of the pipe 40, for a purpose hereinafter to be more fully described. Journaled in bearings 51 supported on opposite sides of the supply pipe 46 and exteriorly of the section 9, as by the bracket members 52, is a shaft 53 provided with a pinion 54 engageable with the rack teeth 50. The shaft 53 is further provided with a sheave wheel 55 adapted to be rotated by a suitable chain 56 from a point below the section 9. By rotating the sheave wheel 55 by the chain 56 the shaft 53 may be rotated to drive the pinion 54 and move the pipe 40 longitudinally. Thus the pipe 40 may be freely moved to cause the frame 25 and blower element 20 to travel across the section 9 as above brought out.

For rocking or rotating the supply pipe 40 to effect a swinging of the blower element 20, there is provided a sleeve 60 keyed to the supply pipe 40 as by a key 61 engageable in a key-way 62. The sleeve 66 is provided with a head 63 forming a sheave wheel adapted to receive a chain 64 by which the sleeve 60 may be rotated from a point below the section 9. Further the sleeve 69 is provided, at its end opposite the head 63, with a flange 65 engageable in a housing 66 carried by the front U-bar 41, whereby the sleeve 60 is prevented from movement away from the U-bar 41 and the section 9. Thus the sleeve 60 is mounted for rotation in a fixed position relative to the section 9. The supply pipe 40 is mounted for longitudinal movement within the sleeve 60 by virtue of the key and key-way 61 and 62, but is locked against rotation relative to this sleeve. Thus the supply pipe 40 may be rocked or rotated by a proper manipulation of the chain 64 acting through thehead 63 and the sleeve 60.

In order that the nozzles 21 will be accurately aligned with the passages 14 upon swinging of the blower element 20, through the pipe 40, there all is provided meansfor locking the pipe 40 in.va-

rious positions of its rocking movement; To. 316-1 comp-lish this,the head 63 of the sleeve is provided on its periphery with a. plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses 70. Supported below the head 63 by suitable frame members 71, carried by the U-ba'r 41, is a housing 72 in which is slidablyl mountedapin73. This pin 13- projects upwardly through the top of the housing 72 to engage in the recesses in the head 63 and is normally urged upwardly to engaging position by a spring '74 arranged within the housing '72 and sleeved. on the' pins 73. For moving the pin 73 downwardly out of engagement with therecesses in the head 63, there is provided a chain 75 as will be readily. apparent by reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawing.

' The recesses 701are so spaced that when the pin 73 is in one of the recesses, the nozzles 21 will be in alignmentwith one series of. gas passages 14. Upon rotation or rocking of the sleeve 60, and supply pipe 40 to move the nozzles'21 across the gas passages 14,- the next recess '70 wi-llbebrought in alignment with the pin 73, at which time each nozzle21 will be in alignment with the next adjacent gas passage 14. Thus the nozzles 21 may be aligned with'one series of gas passages 14 and locked in this aligned position by the pin 73. l The frame 25 may then be reciprocated to cause the jets of cleaning fluid from the,

nozzles 21 to move longitudinally of the passages 14 being blown. The pin'll may then be withdrawn from its engagement with the recess 70 and the pipe 40 rocked until the next recess 70 is in alignment with the pin73 at which time the" pin 73 will be forcedin'to this recess by :thespring.

74. In this position the'nozzles 21 will be in alignment with the next series of gas passages whereby the frame 25 may again be reciprocated to thoroughly clean this series of gas passages.

From the above it is believed that the operation of the soot blower will be clearly apparent. Cleaning fluid may be supplied to the'blower element' 20 through the supply pipe 40 in the man-' tudinally regardless of the position'to which it has been rocked. *Thusthe pipeo may be rocked and'the blower element 20 swung to any position within the limits defined by. the sides ofthe section 9 and maybe reciprocated in the manner brought out before.

While one embodiment of the inventive-idea has been described with considerable detail, his to be clearly understood that the description is for the purpose of illustration only, and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. Thus,

the invention has for convenience been described as a soot blower for air heaters. It will be understood, however, as equally applicable to similar heat transfer apparatus, and the term fair heater where used in the specification or claims is to be construed as meaning a heat transfer apparatus or fluid heater. The right is therefore reserved tomake such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

What-I claimv asmy invention is: i 1. In combination, a blower element comprising an elongated pipe having discharge openings spaced longitudinally thereof, means for swinging said blower element about a plurality of axes spaced from: the blower element whereby the ele--. ment may be swung without varying the angle of the discharge. of the. cleaning fluid with relation to the surfaces. to be cleaned all of said axes being spaced the same distance from said blower element, and means for locking said blower element in any one of a plurality of predetermined positions of its swinging movement. 2;In combination, a blower element, means mounting said-blower element for swinging movementabout. a plurality of axes spaced from the blower. elementga. supply pipe for said element, means forrocking' said supply pipe to eifect a swinging of said blower element, and means for locking said blower element. against swinging movement to locate said blower element in any one of a plurality of spaced blowing positions.

3. In combination, a blower element mounted for swinging movement to spaced blowing positions, a supply pipe for said element, means fior rocking said supply pipe to effecta swinging of said blower element; and means for locking said blower element against swinging movement, said last mentioned means including a sleeve. keyed to said supply pipe, said sleeve being provided with a plurality of apertures and'a pin selectively engageable withsaid apertures. l T l. In combination-an air.heater, a traveling frame. supported on saidair heater, a blower element suspended-from said frame for swinging movement relative theretoya supply pipe for said elementjournaled in said frame,means for moving said supply pipe to effect a travel of said frame; and additional means for, moving said supply pipe to eifect a swinging of said blower element V 5. In. combination,. an air heater, a frame mounted for traveling movement across the top of said air heater, a blower element suspended from said frame for swinging movement relative thereto, :a supply pipefor said clement journaled in said frame, rack teeth formed on said supply pipe, a pinion'engageablewith saidrack teeth for moving said supply pipe to effect a travel of said frame, a sleeve keyed to said supply pipe, and means for'rocking said sleeve to rock said supply pipe and effect a swinging of saidblower element. 7 V

6. In a soot blower,- a blower element comprising'an elongated pipe having discharge openings spaced longitudinally thereof, and means including .a pivotal support mounting said. blower elementfor swinging movement about a plurality of axes equallyspaced from saidblower element" whereby said blower element may be swung without varying the angle of thedischarge of the cleaning fluid therefrom with relation to the surfaces to be cleaned. I I

7. A soot blower, including infcoinbination a frame and a blower element comprising an clon gated pipe having discharge openings "spaced longitudinally thereof pivotally suspended at a plurality of points from said frame for swinging movement relative thereto, whereby said blower element may be swung without varying the angle of the discharge of the cleaning fluid therefrom with relation to the surfaces to be cleaned;

8. A soot blower, including in combination a movable frame, and a blower element comprising an elongated pipe having 'discharge openings.

spaced longitudinally thereof swingingly suspended at a plurality of points from said frame for movement relative to said frame, whereby the blower element may be swung without varying the angle of the discharge of the cleaning fluid therefrom with relation to the surfaces to be cleaned.

9. In combination, an air heater, a frame movably supported by said air heater, and a blower element comprising an elongated pipe having discharge openings spaced longitudinally thereof pivotally suspended at a plurality of points from said frame for swinging movement in the direction of its longitudinal axis, whereby the blower element may be swung without varying the angle of the discharge of the cleaning fluid therefrom with relation to the surfaces to be cleaned.

10. In combination, an air heater, tracks carried by said air heater, a frame adapted to travel on said tracks, and a blower element swingingly suspended at a plurality of points from said frame.

11. In a soot blower, a blower element, means mounting said blower element for swinging movement about a plurality of axes spaced equally from said blower element, and a cleaning fluid supply pipe for said blower element movable to impart the aforesaid swinging movement to said blower element.

12. In a soot blower, a blower element comprising an elongated pipe having discharge openings spaced longitudinally thereof, and means including a pivotal support mounting said blower element for swinging movement in the direction of v v the longitudinal axis thereof and along a prede- 35 termined path, whereby said blower element may be swung without varying the angle of the discharge of the cleaning fluid therefrom with relation to the surfaces to be cleaned.

13. In a soot blower, a blower element, means mounting said blower element for two different types of movement, one of said types of movement constituting a swinging of said blower element along a predetermined path and in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof, and a cleaning fluid supply pipe for said blower element movable to impart both of said types of movement to the same.

14. In combination, a blower element, means mounting said blower element for two different types of movement, one of said types of movement constituting a swinging of said blower element to spaced blowing positions, means for looking said blower element in each of said blowing positions, and means for imparting movement to said blower element conformable to the second type in each of said blowing positions.

15. In a soot blower, a cleaning fluid supply pipe mounted for oscillation, an extension on said supply pipe disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof and rigid therewith, and a blower element rotatably carried by said extension and arranged at an angle with respect to the same whereby oscillation of said supply pipe effects a movement of said blower element without varying the angle of the discharge of cleaning fluid therefrom.

16. In a soot blower, a cleaning fluid supply pipe mounted for oscillation, a branch on said supply pipe disposed at an angle to the axis thereof and rigid therewith, a blower element rotatably connected to the said branch and disposed at an angle to the axis thereof, means for oscillating said supply pipe to move said blower element, and means for rotating said blower element relative to said branch during movement of said blower element by said supply pipe.

17. In a soot blower, a cleaning fluid supply pipe mounted for oscillation, a branch rigidly connected to said supply pipe and disposed normal to the longitudinal axis thereof, a blower element rotatably journaled on the end of said branch and disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of said branch, and means for oscillating said supply pipe to effect a movement of said blower element from said supply pipe by means of said branch.

18. In a soot blower, the combination with an air heater including a plurality of air boxes defining adjacent gas passages, of a blower element mounted for swinging movement toward and away from the ends of said passages and having discharge openings for discharging cleaning fluid into said passages, and means for swinging said blower element toward and away from the ends of said passages and means operating during swinging of the blower element to maintain the discharge openings thereof directed toward the ends of said passages.

19. In a soot blower, the combination with means providing a plurality of gas passages having their ends arranged in a common plane, of a cleaning fluid supply pipe mounted for oscillation adjacent the ends of said gas passage, a branch rigidly fixed to said supply pipe and disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof, a blower element rotatably connected to the said branch and disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the branch, said blower element having discharge openings directed toward the ends of the gas passages, means for oscillating said cleaning fluid supply pipe to move said blower element, and means for eifecting relative rotative movement between said blower element and the said branch to maintain the discharge openings of the blower element directed toward the ends of the gas passage during movement of the blower element.

20. In a soot blower for a fluid heater cleaner, a cleaning fluid supply pipe, means to rock the supply pipe, an extension rigidly mounted on said supply pipe at an angle to the longitudial axis thereof, a nozzled blower element rotatably carried by the extension at an angle thereto whereby rocking of the supply pipe effects a movement of the blower element without varying the angle of discharge of cleaning fluid from the nozzles with respect to the heating surfaces of the fluid heater to be cleaned.

21. In a soot blower for a fluid heater cleaner, a cleaning fluid supply pipe, means to rock the supply pipe, an extension rigidly mounted on said supply pipe at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof, a nozzled blower element rotatably carried by the extension at an angle thereto, the nozzles in said element operating to discharge cleaning fluid in the same direction with respect to the heating surfaces of the fluid heater to be cleaned as the position of the element varies upon rocking of the supply pipe.

22. In a fluid heater cleaner, a blower element having nozzles for discharging a cleaning fluid adjacent portions of a fluid heater to be cleaned, a pipe for supplying cleaning fluid to said blower element, means for oscillating said pipe, a connection between said pipe and said blower element for moving the latter upon oscillation of the pipe, and means guiding said blower element during movement of the blower element by the connection to maintain a desired angle between the adjacent portions of a fluid heater to be cleaned, a

surfaces of the fluid heater to be cleaned and the jets of cleaning fluid discharged by the nozzles.

23. In a fluid heater cleaner, a blower element having nozzles for discharging a cleaning fluid pipe for supplying cleaning fluid to said blower element, means for oscillating said pipe, a connection between said pipe and said blower ele- 

